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A secular icon is an image or pictograph used for other than religious purpose. (See icon for such use.)

For other uses of the term see Icon (disambiguation)

Language and cultural neutral

International standards have been developed to standardise icons. These can be seen particularly in international airports, to assist traverers in navigation. Icons are also becoming standardised for consumer electronics controls and automotive use.

Warning symbols (such as the biological hazard symbol are sometimes less self explanatory but well known within the relevant art or craft.

Political and Governmental Symbols

Icons are seen particularly in editorial cartoons, where a simple image can be used to represent a complex concept or entity. These are often cultural specific, as recognition of some symbols may depend upon a deep understandinbg of the current local situation and the players involved, while others (such as an elephant representing the U.S. Republican Party) are so common that they are understood over a wide range of cultures (but not worldwide). Edifices such as the United States Capitol Building or the White House, the Tower of Westminster, and Saint Basil's Cathedral have become representations respectively of the Governments of the United States of America, Great Britain, and Russia. Other symbols (such as the bear for Russia) are used to represent nations, as distinct from (yet inclusive of) governments.

Modern computer systems

Modern personal comuters and control systems make extensive use of icons in the form of small images representing such objects as file folders, documents and applications within a graphical user interface.

Images in religion